Electric switch actuating mechanism



June 23, 1931. c, DURDIN, JR 1,811,458

ELECTRIC SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1928 2 279177502, Waflb (Tar/P273 Z Z I i/W /i Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES AUGUSTUS C. DURDIN, JIL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ELECTRIC SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Application filed August 6, 1928. Serial No. 297,907.

This invention relates to electric switch actuating mechanism and has for its principal object the provision of electric switch actuating mechanism for a plurality of electric switches operated alternately or in some other sequence by pressure or vacuum operated means which is made responsive to variation of pressure or vacuum in some part of a system employing pressure or vacuum in its operation. In many hydraulic systems, two (or more) electric motor driven pumps are employed one, at a time, for supplying water or other liquid to a tank or reservoir, to be drawn off as required. Ordinarily manually operated switches are employed for the mo tors, which switches require the services of an attendant. The practice is to operate one motor for some time and then the other, and thus distribute the Wear. Sometimes a motor or pump becomes disabled and the other one is then available for use, and the service may be maintained despite the breakdown of one of the motors or pumps. Sometimes it requires the services of both pumps to handle the required amount of water or other liquid. Ordinarily the attendant is relied on to throw the switches and occasionally because of the neglect of the attendant the operation of the pump is not properly kept up. In accordance with the present invention the switches for the motors are closed alternately by switch actuating mechanism oper ated by pressure means, responsive to variations of pressure or vacuum in the system,

5 and both switches closed, in case of an emergency requiring the use of both pumps, the closed switch or switches being automatically opened when the pressure or vacuum has when moved in one direction, and actuated by pressure or vacuum means responsive to variations of pressure in the system. It further consists in an electric switch mechanism as described in which the switch throwing means may close both switches if required. It further consists in the several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawings accompanying this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a simple embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly broken out, of a form of variable stroke device which may be employed for obtaining the alternate action on the switches; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof looking in the direction of the arrow 3 in Fig. 2.

Referring to said drawings, which show the inventionapplied to a pneumatic water supply system, the reference character 4 designates a tank or reservoir for receiving and storing water or other liquid under pressure, and 5 designates an air pump connected thereto by a pipe 6, and adapted to supply pressure for raising the water or other liquid to the higher floors of a building in case the city pressure falls below normal.

Two electric motor driven water pump units A, B are shown in connection with the tank or reservoir 4. The inlets of the pumps a 5 thereof are connected to the main water supply pipe 7 and the discharge ends of the pumps are connected to the tank or reservoir 4, by discharge pipes 8. A pipe 9 is con nected to the system described, and branch pipes convey water or liquid to the several places where water or other liquid is to be delivered. The electric motors which drive the pumps are illustrated at a, I), and together with the pumps a b comprise the electric motor driven pump units A, B which are preferably mounted on suitable bases, as shown.

When the mechanism forming the subject matter of this specification is used in connection with a pneumatic water supply system, a pressure operated device C is employed which i-gether a unit, but permitting" may be in the nature of a diaphragm device, a pressure operated piston or plunger device, a l'lourdon tube device or other equivalent pressure operated device. For convenience, a diapl ragn'z device C of convez. nial form is she '11, which is connected to the tank or The diareservoir by an air pipe l0. phragin c of the diaphragm device is connected to the lever c of the device by a. stem as usual, and for convenience a weight if, adjustably moui'itcd on the leveiyis employed tor setting the diaphragm device to respond to its rctpiircd pressure in the tank.

The electric switches for the pumps A, B are shown at A, B, and are connected to the motors of th pumps by conductors .0 Z). The switches may be connected to the main line as shown. Connecting mechanism D is interposed between the pre sure device C and. actuatiz overs (t 7) ot the switcl e." it, D for closn the switches alternately or in any other sequence (and For closing both it it bQCOFflQS necessary tor both pumps to operate) whenever the pressure within the tank falls below a predetermined low point, and for opening the closed switch or switches whenever 1.c pressure reaches a prei'letern'iined liigh point. In the form of the invention illus-atrated, said connecting n'iechanism coninrises connections between the pressure device C and each switch lever a, at least one of which emhodies a variable stroke device constructed. an il arranged to permit the connections betw M1 the pressure device C and switch lovers to function alternately during the strokes which close the switches. The connections may comprise rods a, li secured to the lever c or other actuating member ot the pressure device n engaging "ith the switch levers as, ...or instance, through collars (IF, a 7)", b secured to rods a", Y). At least one of said rods has a variable stroke member D therein which intermittei'itlv renders said rod ince'i'cctive for closing the switch ope 'ated thereby, so that when incil'ec tive For that purpose other rod closes its associated switch when actuated in one dircction bv the pressure device.

A simple form of variable stroke member is more fully shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,666,873otApril17,1928. Brief- .ly stated, the v riable stroke n'iember herein shown compri 3 a. tnbuiar element a? havir 1 a continuous groove (Z in its wall, and 7-?- poses around the same, said groove havii long" sections (F and short sections :1 opcui into and joining with connecting sections through oblique sections 1]. Traveling said concinrmus groove is a V in pin or other tr.iv eling elemert which, when it engages with the ends ot the sections of the groove, connects the two elements whereby they tra vol tolost motion oil. the traveling clement (Z when moving through the groove.

The rod 6 is made in two parts 7), b of which the part e is rigidly secured to the tubular element cl and the part b is secured to the traveling element (Z Vhen only one variable stroke member is used, the collars a Z) on the two rods are setat such positions thereon that they will open the switches siuniltancously (it each are closed) and the collar 07 on the rod a on the down 'a rd movement oi. the rods will engage and actuate the associatcdswitch-lever a before the collar 0'' on the rod 5 engages its associated switch lcvcr If whenever the traveling clement (Z is moving down through a 1on section of the continuous groove (Z but not when said traveling element is traveling down a short section of said groove. Although ifthe irods are moved down further than necessary to actuate one switch, the inactive rod will also close its associated switch, the result being that when the rods descend, one of the rods closes its associated switch, and starts one motor and when the rods descend again the other rod willclosc its as- :-iociated switch and start the other motor.

In the operation ofthe mechanism above described, in connection with a pneumatic I ater supply system, and assuming that the pump motor of the associated pump, which continues to run, and supplies the tank with water until the pressure therein again. raised to normal. The diaphragm device is again actuated when the pressure reaches its high pointythe lever raised, and the connections D lifted until the collar thereofv oncounters the lever of the closed switch, shifts the switch lever and opens the switch.

During the downward or closing movement of the connections D, the traveling element (7 has moved down through one of the long or short sections of the groove. If during the stroke just mentioned, it was traveling in the long section, then it will move idlyto the bottom thereof, and consequently the collar a on the rod a engages the lever a of the associated switch A and closesthe circuit-to the motor of the pump designated A. The pump A continues to run until the pressure in the tank again restored, to normal, and as a consequence the diaphragm device is actuated in a direction to littthe connections D until the collar a encounters the lever of the switch which is closed, and swings the lever up, thereby opening the switch and stopping the motor of the pump A.

During said upward movement of the rod 1), the traveling element (F moves up through the long section of the continuous groove and into one of the connecting sections, and when the connections Dare again moved downward, as a result of the pressure in the tank falling below the predetermined low point, the traveling element cl moves into a short section (Z encounters the lower end thereof and couples the two parts of the rod b together, so that the further downward movement I of the rod causes the collar b thereof to encounter the associated switch lever b of the switch B before the collar aon the rod a encounters its associated switch lever, and consequently the switch B is closed and the motor of the pump B is started and continues to run until the pressure in the tank is again restored, when the switch B becomes closed, and the collar 12 on the rod 6 encounters the switch lever If.

The switches are, therefore, closed alternately and the pumps started alternately during the successive falls of pressure in the tank. In case the pressure continues to fall below that required to start either of the motors, the lever of the diaphragm device will continue to move downward, thereby moving the connecting device D farther down until the idle upper collar encounters the lever of the open switch and swings said lever down, thereby closing the open switch and starting the motor of the idle pump. When the pressure is again built up to normal, the diaphragm device opens both switch-es, thereby stopping the motors of both pumps.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail in connection wi h a sys tem operating under pressure, it is'to be understood that it is equally applicable to systems operating under vacuumsueh obvious minor changes being necessary as to cause the diaphragm device to close a switch when the vacuum on the system needs to be built up. In fact, the invention is applicable to practically all duplex pump' systems' employing pressure or vacuum in their operation, and while a diaphragm device has been chosen to illustrate a pressure device for actuating the switches, it is to be understood that any pressure or vacuum operated device capableof transferring movement to the switches is included by the term pressure device.

Furthermore, the specific connecting device shown between the pressure device and switches is for the purposes of illustration only and is only schematic, and that other con nections operating to close the switches alternately or in any other sequence is included in the term connecting device.

Furthermore the connecting device may be employed for actuating the control means other than electric switches, and the term pressure as used herein includes plus pressure and minus pressure or vacuum.

More or less variation of the exact details of construction is possible without departing from the spirit of this'invention; I desire,

therefore, not to limit myself to the exact I form of the construction shown and described,

but intend, in the following claims to point out the individual devices to be actuated thereby,

said connections including alternately acting means for actuating said individual devices in alternate sequence.

2L Mechanism for actuating a plurality of devices in alternate sequence, comprising a diaphragm device which is responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said diaphragm device and the individual devices tobe actuated thereby, said connections including means for actuating said individual devices in alternate sequence.

3. Mechanism for actuating a plurality of electric switches in sequence, comprising a fluid pressure device which is responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said pressure device and the individual switches, said connections including alternately acting means for closing said individual switches in a sequence, and opening the closed switch before another one is closed.

4. Mechanism'for actuating a plurality of electric switches in sequence, comprising a diaphragm device which is responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said diaphragm device and the individual switches, said connections including alternately acting means for closing said individual switches in alternate sequence.

5. Mechanism for actuating a plurality of electric switches alternately, comprising a fluid pressure device which is responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said pressure device and the individual. switches, said connections having therein alternately active and inactive connecting members capable of operating consecutively.

6. Mechanism for actuating a plurality of electric switches alternately, comprising a diaphragm device which is responsive to variations of pressure, and Inotiontransferring connections between said diaphragm device and the individual switches, said connections having therein alternately active switch actuating members.

7. Mechanism for actuating a plurality of electric switches alternately, comprising a diaphragm device which. is responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said diaphragm device and the individual switches, said connections having therein a connecting member provided with a variable length stroke.

8. Electric switch actuating mechanism comprising a fluid pressure device responsive to variations of fluid pressure and alternately pressure, and motion transmitting connections between said pressure device and the individual devices to be actuated thereby, said connections including means for actuating said individual devices in alternate sequence and in unison.

11. hlechanism for actuating a plurality of electric switches in sequence, comprising a pressure device which is responsive to variations oi pressure, and motion transferring connectionsbet-ween said pressuredevice and the individual switches, said connections including means for closing said individual snvitches in alternate sequence and in unison.

1.2. The combination with two motor controlling switches, of a. diaphragm device which responsive to variations of fluid pressure, and alternately acting motion transmitting connections between each switch and said diaphragn'i device.

13. The combination with two motor controlling switches, of a diaphragm device which is responsive to variations oi pressure, and alternately acting motion transmitting connections between each switch and said diaphragm device capable of acting in unison when the diaphragm device is subjected to abnormal changes of pressure.

l-l. Mechanism for alternating actuating electric switches of a plurality of electric circuits comprising pressure operated means responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said pressure operated means and said switches, including alternating mechanism for actuating said, switches in alternate sequence.

15. Mechanism for alternately actuating electric switches of a plurality of electric circuits comprising a diaphragm device which responsive to variations of fluid pressure, and motion transferring connections between said diaphragm device and said. switches, including alternating mechanism for actuatingsaid switches in alternate sequence.

16. Mechanism -for actuating electric switches of a plurality of electric circuits to thereby close the circuits in alternate sequence comprising a pressure operated device which is responsive to variations of fluid. pressure, and motion transferring connections between said pressure operated device and said electric switches, including alternating mechanism actuating to close the circuiis in alternate sequence, there being means for closing the circuits in succession.

17. hlechauism for closing circuits for two electric devices comprising pressure operated means responsive to variations of fluid pressure, electric switches for said circuits, and motion transferring connections between said. pressure operated means and said switches, including alternately acting switch tripping mechanism.

18. D/Iechanism for closing circuits tor two electric devices comprising pressure operated means responsive to variations of fluid pressure, electric switches for said circuits, and motion transferring connections between said pressure operated means and sa' 1 switches, including alternately acting switch tripping mechanism, there being means for closing said circuits in succession.

19. h Iechanism for controlling a plurality of electric circuits comprising a. plurality of electric switch units each capable of closing and opening an electric circuit therethrough, pressure operated switch actuating means responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said pressure operated means and said switch units, said connections including alternating mechanism for operating the switch units in alternate sequence to thereby close the circuit through the switch units in alternate sequence.

20. Mechanism for controlling a plurality of electric circuits comprising a plurality of electric switch units each capable of closing and opening an electric circuit therethrough, pressure operated switch actuating means responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between the pressure operated means and said switch. units having switch tripping means for closing a circuit through the switch unit upon one stroke of said motion tripping means and opening the circuit on the return stroke, said connections including alternating mechanism for the switch tripping means to thereby close the circuits through the units in alternate sequence.

21. Mechanism for controlling a plurality of electric circuits comprising a-plurality of electric switch units each capable of closing and opening an electric circuit therethrough, pressure operated switch actuating means responsive to variations of pressure, andmotion transferring connections between the pressure operated means and said switch units having switch tripping means for closing a circuit through the switch unit upon one stroke of said motion tripping means and opening the circuit on the return stroke, said connections including alternating mechanism for the switch tripping means to thereby close the circuits through the units in alternate sequence, there being means for closing the circuits in succession. i I

22. Mechanism for controlling a plurality of electric circuits comprising a plurality of electric switch units each capable of closing and opening an electric circuit therethrough, actuating means responsive to variations of pressure, and motion transferring connections between said actuating means and said switch units having switch tripping means for closing a circuit through the switch unit upon one stroke of said motion tripping means and opening the circuit on the return stroke, said connections including alternating mechanism for the switch tripping means to thereby close the circuits through the units in alternate sequence.

23. Control mechanism for alternately closing the electric circuits for two electric motors comprising circuit closing mechao5 nism, one for each circuit, and pressure operated alternate sequence controlling mechanism for the two circuits responsive to variations of fluid pressure in a system, each of said circuit closing mechanisms bein capable of 4 also closing an open circuit whi e'the other is closed.

24. In an automatic control system for a plurality of electric motors, the combination of automatically acting starting and stopping mechanism for starting and stopping the operation of the motors, said starting and stopping mechanism being responsive to changes of condition which take place in the system with which the motors are used, and automatic and intermittently acting sequence controlling mechanism co-operating with said starting and stopping mechanism for controlling the sequence of operation of the respective motors, there being means associated 65 with one of said elements for starting an idle motor under an abnormal condition when another motor is in operation.

AUGUSTUS C. DURDIN, JR.

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